Norway Updates Plants and Live Animals Import Controls

Norway is drafting new regulations to strengthen prohibitions on importing animals and infectious articles and to update plant pest controls, as part of broader sanitary and phytosanitary reforms. A thematic session on science-based import controls was held in November 2025, focusing on live animals, plants, and pesticides, with outcomes reported by Mr Knut Berdal.

Regulation Analysis: Norway’s Upcoming Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Import Controls Reforms

Norway is strengthening its prohibitions on importing animals and infectious articles while updating plant pest controls under broader SPS reforms. The proposed regulations emphasize science-based import controls, harmonization with international standards, electronic certification, and risk-based inspection systems to facilitate safe trade while mitigating biosecurity risks. Below is a structured analysis of the key requirements, authorities, and procedural elements derived from the November 2025 thematic session report by Mr. Knut Berdal.

1. Core Regulatory Objectives and Framework

The reforms align with Norway’s obligations under the WTO SPS Agreement and aim to:

• Enhance science-based risk assessment for live animals, plants, and pesticides¹.
• Streamline import controls through digitalization (e.g., electronic certification, automated risk analysis)¹.
• Strengthen safeguards against politically or commercially motivated delisting of trading partners, incorporating transparent criteria and timely communication between authorities¹.
• Harmonize with international standards (e.g., Codex guidelines, IPPC frameworks) to reduce trade barriers while maintaining biosecurity¹.

Authority: The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) is the primary regulatory body, collaborating with the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) and international partners (e.g., WTO SPS Committee)¹.

2. Key Requirements for Import Controls

A. Registration and Listing of Establishments

• Facility registration is mandatory for exporters of animals, plants, and related products¹.
• Listing requirements must be clear, limited, and published to avoid ambiguity¹.
• Electronic registration systems (e.g., interoperable with customs platforms) are encouraged to reduce administrative burdens¹.

B. Science-Based Risk Assessment

• Risk-based sampling: Inspections prioritize high-risk consignments (e.g., live animals, plant pests) while reducing frequency for compliant goods¹.
• Post-inspection feedback: Importers receive transparency reports to incentivize compliance¹.
• Pest/pathogen detection: Projects like PURPEST (funded by Horizon Europe) use chemical volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis to detect plant pests/pathogens in real time¹.

C. Electronic Certification and Data Exchange

• E-certification (e.g., TRACES-like systems) is required for all SPS-regulated imports, ensuring legal validity and interoperability with customs¹.
• Automated risk analysis tools (e.g., AI, IT-based targeting) are integrated to quantify cost reductions and improve efficiency¹.
• Accessibility for developing countries: Systems must accommodate exporters with limited digital infrastructure¹.

D. Handling Non-Compliant Consignments

• Rejected consignments (e.g., plants with quarantine pests) must be redispatched, destroyed, or treated using scientifically validated methods (e.g., incineration, heat treatment)¹.
• Partial rejection is permitted if only specific lots are affected¹.
• Harmonization of destruction standards under IPPC/WTO SPS frameworks is prioritized to minimize waste¹.

E. Transparency and Trust-Building

• Timely communication between importing/exporting authorities is mandated to address delisting concerns¹.
• Stakeholder involvement: Public-private partnerships (e.g., International Seed Federation) are leveraged to strengthen compliance¹.
• Appeal processes: National-level mechanisms exist for non-compliance disputes, with escalation pathways to international bodies if needed¹.

3. Compliance Table

4. Ongoing Projects and Innovation

• PURPEST Project: Uses chemical VOC analysis to detect plant pests/pathogens in real time¹.
• Horizon Europe Funding: Supports research on digital monitoring and early pest detection (e.g., sensApest, EmergeNOW)¹.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations with industry (e.g., Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations) to harmonize import controls¹.

Summary Answer

Norway’s upcoming SPS reforms prioritize science-based import controls, digitalization, and international harmonization to balance trade facilitation with biosecurity. Key requirements include mandatory facility registration¹, electronic certification¹, risk-based inspections¹, and transparent non-compliance procedures¹. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority leads implementation, supported by projects like PURPEST for pest detection¹ and Horizon Europe for innovation¹. Safeguards against politically motivated delisting¹ and stakeholder trust-building¹ are central to the reforms. While deadlines for specific measures remain unspecified, the focus on electronic systems and harmonized standards suggests a phased rollout through 2026.

Sources

1. ↩ Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures – SPS Committee thematic session on science-based SPS import controls to facilitate safe trade – 3 and 4 November 2025 – Report by the moderator, Mr Knut Berdal (Norway) https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SPS/GEN2373.pdf&Open=True